Israeli ministers' remarks on Gaza future slammed

The calling by top Israeli government officials for Palestinians to be displaced from Gaza has drawn broad condemnation from regional neighbor Saudi Arabia among others, as well as the Western nations, with some calling it "irresponsible".

During their parties' respective faction meetings in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, on Monday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presented the migration of Palestinian civilians as a solution to the long-running conflict, the Times of Israel reported.

"The war presents an opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza," Ben Gvir was quoted by the online newspaper as saying, and that "not only did he not rule out Jewish settlement there", he believed "it is also an important thing".

Further, Smotrich reportedly told members of his party that the "correct solution" to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict was "to encourage the voluntary migration of Gaza's residents to countries that will agree to take in the refugees", predicting that "Israel will permanently control the territory of the Gaza Strip", including through the establishment of settlements, the report said.

Saudi Arabia condemned the remarks on Thursday, with the Saudi Foreign Ministry expressing Riyadh's "categorical rejection of the extremist remarks by two ministers in the Israeli occupation government, who called for the displacement of the population of Gaza", said an English translation of the statement released by Saudi Press Agency, according to a report by Arab News on Thursday.

More than 22,000 Palestinians have been killed after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, leaving 1,200 of its nationals dead.

Gokhan Ereli, Gulf studies coordinator at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, in Turkiye, told China Daily that Saudi Arabia's strong stance in favor of Palestinian rights and opposition to any plans for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is demonstrated in its condemnation of the statements delivered by Israeli officials.

He also said Riyadh's emphasis on the necessity of international accountability for Israel indicates a commitment to upholding international law and the decisions of international legitimacy.

'Irresponsible' statement

Apart from Saudi Arabia, the US, a staunch backer of Israel, rejected the recent statements from the Israeli officials, saying in a statement issued on Jan 2 that the rhetoric "is inflammatory and irresponsible".

"We have been told repeatedly and consistently by the Government of Israel, including by the Prime Minister, that such statements do not reflect the policy of the Israeli government. They should stop immediately," said Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson.

"We have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, with Hamas no longer in control of its future and with no terror groups able to threaten Israel," he said.

In Europe, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on his X account that he strongly condemned the "inflammatory and irresponsible statements" by the Israeli ministers "slandering the Palestinian population of Gaza" and calling for a plan for their emigration.